MIAMI — Padraig Harrington, like the rest of the golf world, is awaiting the return of Tiger Woods, and is curious about how Woods will handle himself and how he will be received by the public.

“I think you’re going to have all sorts [of fans],” Harrington, who’s four shots off the lead at the WGC CA-Championships at Doral after shooting 68 yesterday. “There’s no doubt there are a lot of people, a lot of solid fans, who are disappointed and I don’t know how they’re going to react.

“But I think in general, people will be curious. Golf fans held him in such high esteem and this whole thing, from a golfing standpoint, has been disappointing. Now you have people at home who are not interested in golf and they are interested now. They watch Tiger Woods interviews. There is going to be a bit more attention on [Woods’ return]. It takes on a bit more of E! Entertainment doesn’t it, rather than CBS?”

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Robert Allenby, who is one shot off the lead entering the third round, had a hole-in-one on the 233-yard par-3 13th hole, draining a 5-wood.

“The four people who were out there were pretty happy,” Allenby joked.

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Play was suspended a couple of times because of standing water on the greens after heavy rain. The first suspension lasted only 22 minutes. The second suspension began at 2:37 p.m., and lasted about two hours, with 17 of the 68-player field still on the course.

Els, 39, said he played in a best-ball tournament with the 25-year-old Schwartzel’s father, George, in 1987 — three years after Charl was born.

“He won everything as a junior, very similar to [South African] Trevor Immelman,” Els said of Charl, who entered the second round with a one-shot lead at 67. “But he’s even more impressive because he’s longer. He hits the ball a really long way. He’s got so much talent. When he gets a break out here, you’re going to see the next superstar out of South Africa.”

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Harrington, the pride of Ireland on the PGA Tour, is going to the White House for a St. Patrick’s Day gathering on Wednesday. Asked if it’s black tie, he said: “It’s green tie. I believe it’s suit and green tie. That’s what I’m wearing.”